Copperas Cove ISD -

Structural and landscape pests can pose a significant problem to people, property and the environment. Pesticides and herbicides can also pose risks to people, property, and the environment. It is therefore the Policy of Copperas Cove ISD to incorporate Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) procedures for control of structural and landscape pests.
Pests are populations of living organisms (animals, plants. microorganisms) that can interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Copperas Cove ISD campuses. Strategies for managing pest populations will be influenced by the pest species and whether that species poses a threat to the students, staff, property, and/or the environment. Pest management plans will be developed for the Copperas Cove ISD and will include pest management measures.

• Pests will be managed to reduce any potential human health hazards to protect against a significant threat to public safety, to prevent damage to Copperas Cove ISD structure or property, and to enhance the quality of life for students and staff.

• The choice of using chemical pesticides will be based on a review of all other known options and a determination that these options are not acceptable or feasible. Cost or staffing consideration alone will not be adequate justification for use of chemical control agents. Selected non-chemical pest management methods will be implemented, whenever possible to provide the desired control. It is the policy of Copperas Cove ISD to utilize IPM principles to manage pest populations adequately. The full range of alternatives, including no action will be considered. When it is determined that a pesticide or herbicide must be used in order to meet the pest management goals, the least hazardous material will be chosen.

• The IPM Coordinator, Administrator, and staff will be educated about the potential school pest problems and the IPM policies and procedures to be used to achieve the desired pest management objectives.

• The IPM Coordinator will maintain records of pesticide and herbicide use and will notil-y the Copperas Cove ISD staff and students of upcoming pesticide treatments. Notices will be posted in designated areas at each site.

• Pesticide purchase will be limited to the amount authorized for use in one year, Pesticide will be stored and disposed in accordance with the label directions and state regulations. Pesticides will be stored in an appropriate secure site not accessible to students or unauthorized personnel.

• Pesticide applicators will be educated and trained in the principles and practices of integrated pest management and use of pesticides. They will follow regulations and label precautions. Applicators will be certified and comply with the Copperas Cove ISD policy.

The IPM Coordinator will be trained through a Texas Structural Pest Control Service approved IPM Coordinator training course. The IPM Coordinator will design a pest management system and maintain IPM Policies. The IPM Coordinator is the person who observes and evaluates the site or directs others to do so and decides what needs to be done to achieve the site management objectives.
Copperas Cove ISD will contract with a commercial pest control company(s) to meet the needs of the facility. The contractors will make detailed site-specific recommendations for structural and procedural modifications to achieve pest suppression. The contractor shall provide evidence of sufficient expertise in pest control and IPM principles and practices. With the exceptional specific pest problem. Copperas Cove ISD employs full-time personnel to conduct pest management practices.

Bats – in particular, the migratory Mexican Free-tailed Bat are a great benefit to our local, Texas hill country environment as they benefit our agricultural business and they consume huge amounts of insects.

Though, bats sometimes create an annoyance when they roost in structures in large numbers. Why do bats roost in buildings? Are they hazardous? What is the best way to handle bat pest problems?

Some bats move into buildings because they have lost their natural habitats in caves and trees. They may cause no problems; but when large colonies roost in facilities, they can cause noise, odors, and piles of feces. Like other wild animals, some bats contract rabies. Although only very small proportions are infected, any bat found on the ground is more likely to be sick or injured. Neither adults nor children should handle bats, or for that matter, any other wild animal. If there is any possibility that a student or school employee may have been bitten or had direct contact with a bat, the animal should be captured/collected and submitted to the local health department for rabies testing. The protocols explained further in this document describe handling procedures.

Bats that end up indoors by chance, often cannot find their way out. Trained, designated district personnel or our local animal control responders can safely capture these. Usually, a bat is captured by simply waiting until the bat lands on a wall or ceiling, then carefully placing a box, coffee can or net over it. Slide a piece of cardboard between the box (or can) and the wall (or ceiling) so the bat is contained. If the bat needs to be tested for rabies, animal control will be contacted. If no one had direct contact with the bat, it can be turned over to a wildlife-rescue organization in our area or simply released outside away from people and pets.

Bat colonies can roost in attics, under eaves, or in the walls of buildings. These bats can be safely evicted and CCISD will work collaboratively with local animal control, bat conservation organizations, and professionals especially trained to utilize safe, exclusionary techniques to permanently expel bats. It is not legal to use pesticides against bats, and poisons often result in sick bats that can end up on the ground where they are more likely to be found by children or pets. Bat “traps” are also inappropriate, since they usually result in overcrowding that kills or weakens bats and, again, increases the possibility of sick bats finding their way to places where they could have contact with people. Only proper bat exclusion techniques help to ensure the health and safety of people, while ridding buildings of nuisance bat colonies. Help protect both social and ecological health with proper bat exclusion methods.